Information Overload: Pinterest is an addicting visual pin board

Need a quick idea for making breakfast for your family? Want to know the best way to cook bacon without making a huge mess? Wondering how to make a lamp out of an empty wine bottle? Then Pinterest is the place for you.

Chances are most of you have heard of Pinterest.com, the social media website launched in 2010 which allows users to "pin" content on a virtual pinboard.

If you have heard of Pinterest, I'm surprised you are even reading this. The first time I visited the website, my family and friends didn't hear or see me for about a week ... the website can be an addiction.

What is the appeal of Pinterest, you may ask? I think the best way to explain the attraction of the visually appealing website is best done by Don Reisinger, cnet.com blogger, who described Pinterest as "scrap-booking on the Web."

Pinterest is focused on user-created content. You can also describe Pinterest as a place to curate visual bookmarks by saving interesting recipes, fashion tips, home decor ideas or photos found online. If you visit the website's homepage, you will be welcomed by a tiled page of content that includes anything from recipes, craft ideas or inspirational quotes.

Pinterest has quickly gained a following, having more than 11 million visits in December, which is an increase of almost 50 percent from the previous six months. According to data from Hitwise, 58 percent of visitors to Pinterest are female and between ages 25 and 44. Businesses are also jumping on the Pinterest bandwagon with companies like Nordstrom, Land's End and Real Simple creating their own content on the website.

Pinterest accounts are invitation-only at this point, but if you request one, you may get an account fairly soon. Once you have an account, you can start curating your own content and have others "repin" (share) your posts with others.

I have an account but have yet to create my own pinboard, my own place on Pinterest to share things of interest to me. Right now, I seem to be too distracted just browsing Pinterest to post anything. Soon enough, I'll be online sharing my favorite sites with all. Hope you are a fan of kittens wearing hats or bacon and ham sandwich recipes. If so, follow me on Pinterest ... you know my name.